Algeria closes 42 French schools

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A decision by Algeria to close 42 French-language schools because they failed to obey a law requiring them to teach mainly in Arabic has met an angry response in France.

The order, issued on the grounds of “linguistic deviation” was a blow to France’s efforts to keep the use of French as a second language, especially in the former colonies.

France spends millions of pounds a year promoting the Francophone community.

The French Government refused to comment, saying that the decision was an Algerian internal matter, but privately, it criticised President Bouteflika for yielding to pressure from hardline Islamists. Officials